Header distribution system for ice rinks

ABSTRACT

A system for providing a refrigerant to an ice rink, the system including a compressor means for compressing a refrigerant, means for delivering the compressed refrigerant to a low pressure receiver vessel, and means for passing refrigerant condensate from said low pressure vessel to a pair of pumper drum vessels. The rink is provided with a plurality of refrigerant transmitting conduits extending from one end thereof to the other, and with a high pressure header extending across one end of the rink and a low pressure header extending across the opposed end of the rink. The high pressure header is provided with a balance header which couples the opposite free ends of this header element together, and an intermediate line or conduit is also provided which couples the central or mid-portions of the high pressure header and the balance header together.

United States Patent 11 1 Holmsten Aug. 27, 1974 HEADER DISTRIBUTIONSYSTEM FOR ICE RINKS [76] Inventor: Richard B. I-Iolmsten, 2127 DudleyAve., St. Paul, Minn. 55108 [22] Filed: Apr. 9, 1973 [21] Appl. No.:349,071

[52] U.S. Cl 62/235, 62/509 [51] Int. Cl. A63c 19/10 [58] Field ofSearch 62/235, 509

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2615,308' 10/1952 Thorns62/235 3.46:6,892 9/1969 HOiITISICn 62/235 Primary ExaminerWilliam J.Wye

[ ABSTRACT A system for providing a refrigerant to an ice rink, the

system including a compressor means for compressing a refrigerant, meansfor delivering the compressed refrigerant to a low pressure receivervessel, and means for passing refrigerant condensate from said lowpressure vessel to a pair of pumper drum vessels. The rink is providedwith a plurality of refrigerant transmitting conduits extending fromoneend thereof to the other, and with a high pressure header extendingacross one end of the rink and a low pressure header extending acrossthe opposed end of the rink. The high pressure header is provided with abalance header which couples the opposite free ends of this headerelement together, and an intermediate line or conduit is also providedwhich couples the central or mid-portions of the high pressure headerand the balance header together.

3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures HEADER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR [CE RINKSBACKGROUND or THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally toan improved fluid flow system for providing a medium for exchange or forthe abstracting of thermal energy in skat ing rinks. The system of thepresent invention is an improvement over that system disclosed andclaimed in US. Pat. No. 3,466,892, dated Sept. 16, l969.

The system provides a means for the uniform circulation of liquidrefrigerant to the large area being refrigerated, wherein substantiallyuniform pressures and corresponding equalization of pressuredifferentials are achieved across the distribution system and in theareas being treated. Uniformity in ice in the rink is achieved in thisfashion. In the refrigeration system utilized in the combination of thepresent invention, the refrigeration system utilizes a compressor meansfor compressing a refrigerant. means for delivering the compressedrefrigerant to a low pressure receiver vessel, and means for passingrefrigerant condensate from a low pressure vessel to a pair of pumperdrum vessels. Refrigerant is delivered from the pumper drum vessels tothe ice rink per se through the improved distribution system of thepresent invention.

In the low pressure receiver, a portion of the liquid refrigerantundergoes a phase transformation to deliver a refrigerating effect tothe installation, the refrigerant being circulated to the refrigerationarea by means of the propulsion achieved by fluids in the liquid stateunder high pressure and substantially directly from the compressordevice. This technique eliminates the ne cessity of transmission orcirculation of liquid refrigerant at extremely low temperatures, andpermits operation at a reasonably constant temperature which is in therange of between about l5l8 F. This temperature is one which results inan ice surface which is deemed ideal for ice hockey or figure skating,and this system accomplishes the result with unusually high efficiency.

ln order to equalize the flow through the system. and in order toeliminate wide pressure differentials, a balance header is providedwhich extends between opposed ends of the high pressure header at oneend of the rink. An intermediate line is also provided which couples thecentral or mid-portions of the high pressure header and the balanceheader together. In this fashion, uniformity of ice conditions withoutpresence of warm areas of soft or wet ice is provided. One furtheradvantage of the distribution system of the present invention is toaccommodate a system wherein one of the two pumper drums is temporarilydisabled. and the distribution system of the present invention iscapable of accommodating this situation without adversely affecting theice condition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly. in accordance with the presentinvention, in

remaining in this receiver is permitted to flow or drain to one of apair of drums, and when either of the drums becomes substantiallyentirely filled, the filled drum is coupled by means of suitablevalving, substantially directly to the output of the compressor, whichoutput is at a relatively higher pressure, and this fluid under theinfluence of this higher pressure is utilized to force the chilledrefrigerant from the pumper drum out into the distribution system andthus through the rink area. To accomplish this, the fluid is forcedunder pressure into the pressure header and thus through thedistrivution system, and accordingly into the refrigeration area. Afterpassing through the refrigeration area, the fluid, in both liquid andgaseous phases, is returnedto the low pressure receiver. The evaporantpresent in the low pressure receiver is transmitted on a continuousbasis to the compressor or compressors for continuing the cycle.

In the distribution portion of the combination, the fluid transmissioncomprises a high pressure header which extends across one end of an icerink, a low pressure header extending across the opposite end of therink, and rink chilling conduit means extending therebetween to definean ice rink area. A first supply conduit is coupled to one end of thehigh pressure header, and a second supply conduit means is coupled tothe opposed end of the high pressure header, with each supply conduitmeans being in direct communication with a separate pumper drum vessel.A balance header couples the opposed ends of the high pressure header toeach other, and an intermediate line is also provided which couples thecentral or mid-portions of the high pressure header to the balanceheader. A return conduit means is coupled to the low pressure headersubstantially at the mid-point thereof, to deliver refrigerant from thelow pressure header to the low pressure receiver.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide animproved system for the transmission or circulation of refrigerantthrough an ice rink refrigeration zone, the transmission utilizing thecirculation of chilled refrigerant fluid in theliquid state directlyinto the header zone of an area being refrigerated.

lt is yet a further object of the present invention to provide animproved system for the circulation or transmission of fluid refrigerantin liquid phase, the refrigerant being propelled through the system froma liquid refrigerant pumping drum coupled intermittently to the outputof the refrigerator compressor and into a high pressure header utilizinga balanced header to achieve uniformity.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide animproved system for circulating refrigerant in the liquid state throughan ice rink area, with the refrigerant being delivered through thesystem substantially uniformly and at a substantially constanttemperature level across the entire rink area.

Other and further objects of the present invention will become apparentto those skilled in the art upon a study of the following specification,appended claims, and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of onetypical installation employing the improved system aspects of thepresent invention; and

H0. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a major liquid distribution headwhich is preferably utilized in the system of the present invention.

DESCRlPTlON OF THE PREFERRED EMBODlMENT ln accordance with the preferredmodification of the present invention, the refrigeration system of thecombination of the present invention is generally designated andincludes a pair of compressors 11 and 12, these compressors beingcoupled in parallel relationship for treating the refrigerant which isbeing delivered into the area or zone being refrigerated, such as theskating rink shown at 13. The system includes certain other majorcomponents including a condenser 15, a liquid storage vessel 16, a lowpressure receiver chamber or vessel 17, and a pair of pumper drums 18and 19. The individual components are coupled together by means ofsuitable conduits, as indicated. and as more fully explainedhereinafter.

Referring to the system, the compressors l1 and 12 deliver apre-selected refrigerant, such as, for example, Freon-22 to a mainconduit 20, the output of the compressors 11 and 12 being coupled inparallel fluid relationship. These compressors are driven by anysuitable source of power, such as, for example, an electrical powersource or an internal combustion engine. Conduit 20 extends to andcommunicates with the condenser 15 which is operated in a conventionalfashion. The output of the condenser 15 is transmitted by means of theconduit segment 22 and the conduit 23 through a controlled meteringvalve 24 and thence into the liquid storage vessel 16. Liquid storagevessel 16 is provided with a pair of outlet conduits, these being shownat 26 and 27. Conduit 26 is provided with a pair of con trol valves. forexample gate valves 28 and 29, along with a pressure reducing or demandflow control valve 30. A bypass is provided, as indicated, at 31 toaccommodate the system when the valve is not being utilized. valves 28and 29 being utilized to isolate valve 30 from the system. Outlet 27extends from the liquid storage vessel 16 to a juncture point with theliquid storage vessel bypass line 33, the flow in line 33 beingcontrolled by valve 34. Line 27 extends to a second juncture point orfluid divider point as at 65 where the fluid is driven or carried fortransmission directly into one of the drums. such as drum 18,-for apurpose as will be more fully explained hereinafter or for transmissionto the vessel 17.

Following its transmission into the low pressure receiver 17, a portionof the liquid transmitted is transformed into the vapor phase. and theremaining material remains in the liquid phase. The liquid is removedfrom the low pressure receiver 17 by gravity through conduit 36. whichis provided with a servicing valve 37, and ultimately into the pumperdrum 18. Of course, a suitable conduit 39 may be coupled to conduit 36in order to carry refrigerant fluid in liquid state on an alternatingcycle basis to the second pumper drum l9. Suitable check valves such asare shown at 40 and 41 are utilized to isolate the pumper drums 18 and19 from the supply conduits 36 and 39 and from the low pressure receiver17 when the drums are subjected to high pressure. The drums 18 and 19are each provided with discharge conduits 43 and 44 which, by virtue ofthe check valves 45 and 46, are effectively isolated, one from theother, while both are coupled to the delivery conduit 48 sypplyingchilled refrigerant to the rink zone.

Conduit 48 is coupled to one end of the high pressure header or trunkdistribution head 50 as shown, with conduit 49 being coupled to theopposite of high pressure head 50. A balance header 5] is utilized tocouple opposed ends of high pressure header 50 together, and anintermediate conduit line 52 is provided to couple the central ormid-portions 53 and 54 of the balance header 51 and high pressure header50 respectively together. High pressure header 50 is provided with aplurality of distribution lines such as, for example, the distributionlines 5656. A low pressure header or refrigerant collecting header 57 isutilized to collect the refrigerant from lines 56-56 and deliver it intoline 58 for ultimate return to the low pressure receiver 17. Servicevalve 59 may be employed along line 58 as required.

In order to provide the force necessary to transmit the refrigerant fromthe drums through line 48 and re tain this refrigerant in liquid phase,attention is directed to the output 27 of the liquid storage vessel 16.Line 27 couples liquid storage vessel 16 to a juncture point 65,solenoid valve 66 and check valve 67 being interposed along line 27between the liquid storage vessel 16 and the juncture point 65. Line 68connects the juncture point 65 to the inlet of the pumper drum 18. Aparallel system for providing high pressure to the pumper drum 19, thisincluding conduit 69 which extends between the line 27 and a juncturepoint 70. A solenoid valve 71 and a check valve 72 are interposed alongline 69 for control. Conduit 78 has a segment coupling juncture point tothe inlet of drum 19.

Juncture point 65 is coupled also to a conduit or line 74 which conduitis, in turn, coupled to thelow pressure receiver 17, through check valve75 and solenoid valve 76 for the purpose of venting drum 18. Similarly,

an upper segment of line 78 extends from juncture point 70 to the lowpressure receiver 17, this upper segment of line 78 including checkvalve 79 and solenoid valve 80.

As previously indicated, drums 18 and 19 are filled by gravity throughlines 36 in the case of pumper drum l8 and a combination of lines 36 and39 in the case of pumper drum 19. In order to accommodate this gravityfill, and with specific reference to pumper drum l8, conduit 58functions as a vent during the filling operation, and with solenoidvalve 56 in a closed position and solenoid valve 76 in an open position,refrigerant in gaseous phase moves from pumper drum 18 along line 68 tojuncture point 56, and thereafter from juncture 65 to the low pressurereceiver 17 by way of line 74. In a similar fashion, pumper drum 19 isvented to low pressure receiver 17. When either drum is filled to anupper level as sensed by a float or fluid level sensor 82, thedisposition of solenoid valves 66 and 76 is reversed, and the highpressure fluid from the liquid storage vessel 16 is transmitted directlyinto the drum 18 by way of line 27 from liquid storage vessel 16 tojuncture point 65, and then through line 68 to drum 18. This operationis continued until the level in drum 18 is reduced to the lower level orpoint indicated by liquid level sensor 83. During the discharge ofrefrigerant from storage vessel 16 to pumper drum 18, a portion of thefluid in vessel 16 may be transformed to the gaseous phase. When thelower level point is reached in drum 18, the disposition of the solenoidvalves 66 and 76 is again reversed, and pumper drum 18 resumed itsfilling cycle. In a similar fashion, pumper drum 19 is filled andemptied, and the two pumper drums operate independently in order toprovide a maximum flow of chilled refrigerant in liquid phase to thehigh pressure header 50 by way of delivery conduits or lines 48 and 49.The check valves 45 and 46 provide for unidirectional flow of fluid fromlines 48 and 49 through the high pressure header 50 and the individuallines 56-56. ln the event a problem arises in connection with either ofthe pumper drums 18 or 19, then, and in that event, the system mayaccommodate the use of merely one pumper drum vessel to achieveoperation of the system.

Since most fluorinated hydrocarbons such as constitute Freon-22 arecompletely miscible or compatible with the oils utilized to lubricatethe compressors, it is frequently desirable to provide a bleed line tocontinuously separate the oil from the refrigerant. Thus. the bleed line85 is provided between the low pressure receiver 17 and a refrigrant-oilseparator 86. The separator is provided with a discharge line 87 tocarry the separated oil back to an oil receiver 88, and ultimately intothe compressors 11 and 12, respectively, as shown. Line 89 and its checkvalve 90 are utilized to permit transfer of the liquid refrigerant fromthe separator 76 to the line 48.

Pressure gauge and thermometer indicators are frequently desirable,these being shown for example. along delivery conduit 48 as at 81. Itwill be appreciated that instrumentation is not essential to theoperation of a calibrated system. however for purposes of uniformoperation, such instrumentation is normally desired.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 2 of the drawings wherein the trunkdistribution head is illustrated in detail. This high pressure header 50is utilized to confine the refrigerant delivered from the pumping drum,the header 50 being provided with a plurality of liquid subfeeder linessuch as the line 101. Each liquid sub-feeder line is in turn providedwith a plurality of distribution openings. Conventionally, 18 suchdistribution openings are provided for each liquid subfeeder line butother numbers may be used. These distribution heads in turn lead to theindividual lines 56-56 which extend across the refrigeration area. Themultitude of paths available provide for substantial equalization offlow regardless of the relative effectiveness of one pumper drum vesseland its associated equipment as compared to another.

While the system has been illustrated with the headers 52 and 57 beingdisposed on opposite ends of the rink, it will be appreciated that thesystem can be utilized with these headers disposed on opposite sides ofthe rink as well. The chilled refrigerant which is driven through thedistribution system is maintained substantially in the liquid stateduring its transfer therethrough. There is, of course, a certaintransformation from liquid to gaseous phase, however, since therefrigerant is exposed to a modest increase in pressure during itsmovement through the distribution lines, the degree of transformationfrom liquid to gaseous phase is minimal. Thus, refrigerant entering thedistribution head at -18 degrees F. will normally leave thisdistribution head at a temperature of no less than about 12 degrees F.

The efficiency of this system is also significantly high. Since thedegree of efficiency of a compressor device is related at least in partto the temperature differential existing across the compressor, that is,from inlet to outlet, the present system is one capable of highefficiency since the temperature differential is maintained at asubstantially minimal value.

I claim:

1. An ice rink having, in combination, a refrigeration system and afluid transmission system for delivering the chilled refrigerantsubstantially entirely in the liquid state to an ice skating rink whereheat is being abstracted, and wherein the system comprises:

a. compressor means having an inlet conduit for receiving refrigerant atone pressure, and outlet conduits for delivering an output ofrefrigerant to said outlet conduit under a relatively higher pressure;

b. means for delivering said output to an enclosed storage vesselwherein said output is received, at least partially evaporated toachieve a refrigeration effect while retained therein, and maintainedtherein at a relatively lower pressure;

c. means for intermittently delivering refrigerant in liquid phase fromsaid first storage vessel to first and second drums wherein saiddelivered refriger-. ant is received and normally maintained at saidrelatively lower pressure;

d. means for intermittently coupling said first and second drumssubstantially directly to said compressor outlet to subject therefrigerant therein to said relatively higher pressure and while coupledthereto, deliver said output thereto;

e. first and second supply conduit means for delivering the refrigerantfrom said first and second drums under the influence of said compressoroutput to said fluid transmission system, said transmission systemcomprising:

1. a high pressure header extending across one end of an ice rink, a lowpressure header extending across the opposite end of said rink and rinkchilling conduit means extending therebetween to define an ice rinkarea;

2. said first supply conduit means being coupled to one end of said highpressure header and said second supply conduit means being coupled tothe opposed end of said high pressure header, and a balance headercoupling the opposed ends of said high pressure header, one to theother; and

3. reurn conduit means coupled to the said low pressure headersubstantially at the mid-point thereof.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 being particularlycharacterized in that conduit means are provided for coupling the middlesegments of said high pressure header and balance header together.

3. The combination as defined in claim 1 being particularlycharacterized in that said first and second drums functionindependently, one of the other.

1. An ice rink having, in combination, a refrigeration system and afluid transmission system for delivering the chilled refrigerantsubstantially entirely in the liquid state to an ice skating rink whereheat is being abstracted, and wherein the system comprises: a.compressor means having an inlet conduit for receiving refrigerant atone pressure, and outlet conduits for delivering an output ofrefrigerant to said outlet conduit under a relatively higher pressure;b. means for delivering said output to an enclosed storage vesselwherein said output is received, at least partially evaporated toachieve a refrigeration effect while retained therein, and maintainedtherein at a relatively lower pressure; c. means for intermittentlydelivering refrigerant in liquid phase from said first storage vessel tofirst and second drums wherein said delivered refrigerant is receivedand normally maintained at said relatively lower pressure; d. means forintermittently coupling said first and second drums substantiallydirectly to said compressor outlet to subject the refrigerant therein tosaid relatively higher pressure and while coupled thereto, deliver saidoutput thereto; e. first and second supply conduit means for deliveringthe refrigerant from said first and second drums under the influence ofsaid compressor output to said fluid transmission system, saidtransmission system comprising:
 1. a high pressure header extendingacross one end of an ice rink, a low pressure header extending acrossthe opposite end of said rink and rink chilling conduit means extendingtherebetween to define an ice rink area;
 2. said first supply conduitmeans being coupled to one end of said high pressure header and saidsecond supply conduit means being coupled to the opposed end of saidhigh pressure header, and a balance header coupling the opposed ends ofsaid high pressure header, one to the other; and
 3. reurn conduit meanscoupled to the said low pressure header substantially at the mid-pointthereof.
 2. The combination as defined in claim 1 being particularlycharacterized in that conduit means are provided for coupling the middlesegments of said high pressure header and balance header together. 2.said first supply conduit means being coupled to one end of said highpressure header and said second supply conduit means being coupled tothe opposed end of said high pressure header, and a balance headercoupling the opposed ends of said high pressure header, one to theother; and
 3. The combination as defined in claim 1 being particularlycharacterized in that said first and second drums functionindependently, one of the other.
 3. reurn conduit means coupled to thesaid low pressure header substantially at the mid-point thereof.